Nematodes in terrestrial gastropods from central Maine

Area of Science:

• Veterinary parasitology
• Malacology
• Wildlife disease ecology

Background:

• Parelaphostrongylus tenuis is a nematode parasite affecting wild and domestic animals.
• Terrestrial gastropods serve as intermediate hosts for various nematode species, including P. tenuis.
• Understanding gastropod-nematode interactions is crucial for wildlife health management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of Parelaphostrongylus tenuis and other nematodes in terrestrial gastropods from central Maine.
• To identify gastropod species with high nematode infection rates.
• To assess the potential for gastropods as foci for P. tenuis transmission in the region.

Main Methods:

• Collection of approximately 1700 terrestrial gastropods from central Maine.
• Examination of gastropods for the presence of nematode larvae.
• Identification of recovered nematodes to species or genus level.

Main Results:

• Overall nematode prevalence ranged from 4% to 7% in most gastropod species.
• Pallifera spp. exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of nematodes at 19%.
• Cosmocercoides dukae and Rhabditis spp. were the most frequently identified nematodes.
• Only four larvae of Parelaphostrongylus tenuis were detected, resulting in a prevalence of 0.1%.

Conclusions:

• Terrestrial gastropods in central Maine generally have low infection rates with nematodes.
• Pallifera species represent a potential reservoir for certain nematode infections.
• Current findings do not indicate established foci for Parelaphostrongylus tenuis transmission via gastropods in this area.